When a homeless woman gives Maxzyne a painting of a French poodle just like the one in a storefront display, it turns out to be more than just a coincidence for the impulsive 10-year-old. Maxzyne finds herself at the center of a rescue mission when a wayward freight elevator, a family of enchanted vintage mannequins in distress, and a secret tunnel propel her straight into the mysterious depths of a Chicago department store. Can she convince the ghastly Gigi not to use the mannequins' heads in her art exhibit before store closing? It's a race against the clock for Maxzyne and her new mannequin sidekick Elise.Despite her overactive imagination and tendency to get distracted, she learns some important lessons about loyalty, bravery, generosity, and accepting responsibility for her actions. A wonderfully spirited and fun adventure story, Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins is a delightful read for children of all ages.
Fed up with polygraphs, security clearances and a daily commute, Caroline Lee fled a career writing classified reports for the Dept. of Defense to become a full-time storyteller and daydreamer-in-chief. Often inspired by her surroundings, Caroline's first book, "Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins," features America's most impulsive heroine, 10-year-old Maxzyne Merriweather, whose madcap adventures take place in the magical and historic city of Chicago. Caroline currently resides in Delray Beach, Florida where the weather is much warmer than Chicago. She is a member of the Society of Childrens Bookwriters & Illustrators (SCBWI) and is thrilled that her first book "Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins" won the 2020 Independent Press Award for Children's Fiction. The second adventure in the series, "Maxzyne and the Old Horse Theatre" is now also available on Amazon and recently won two Story Monsters Dragonfly awards! And just released: MAXZYNE GOES AQUAMARINE in ebook and soft cover. Learn more at www.maxzyne.com
Remember all those things you impatiently awaited as a child? Birthdays, Christmas, summer vacation, first day of school, first tooth fairy visit, Halloween and perhaps another inch of growth on the yardstick? Oh, the possibility! Eventually, those youthful events evolved. Preteen yearnings for even more independence and responsibility began to chafe. Friends and schoolmates seemed to have more opportunities than my own parents allowed. Oh, those calendar pages turned so slowly. Or was it just at my family's house? Nope, it was really just me. As the big sister, I was the slowest and stymied by "Mom's Rule of Not Yet." Until "Yet" finally arrived. At last, I was allowed to do the next big thing. However, my younger sister was quickly given the same opportunity. So much for eldest privileges. Thanks to me, the parental boundary was broken. My little sisters owe me.
Book Excerpt
Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins
Maxzyne leans on the handrail. “I can’t wait ’til I’m thirteen! I’ll get to watch PG movies, have sleepovers, and be on the computer by myself! But ’til then, Mom says those are the rules.”
Comment on this Bubble
Your comment and a link to this bubble will also appear in your Facebook feed.